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Posted on Fri, Mar 30, 2012 : 5:36 p.m.

Mega Millions: Final hours ticking toward $640 million jackpot

By Paula Gardner

Friday night's Mega Millions drawing jumped to a $640 million jackpot this afternoon, and the final prize amount could go even higher.

"It is now at an astronomical $640 MILLION due to increase ticket sales caused by Mega Millions MADNESS!" reads a statement from Michigan lottery officials.

That madness is reportedly happening in all 42 states (plus Washington, D.C.) that participate in the twice-weekly Mega Millions lottery.

However, many people are still pointing out that there will be plenty of disappointed ticket-buyers once the drawing is over.

According to an Associated Press story posted Friday morning on AnnArbor.com, "based on other U.S. averages, you're about 8,000 times more likely to be murdered than to win the lottery, and about 20,000 times more likely to die in a car crash than hit the lucky numbers."

Those lucky numbers will be drawn at 11 p.m., 15 minutes after ticket sales stop.

Meanwhile, in case you're wondering, the cash option on a winning ticket is $462 million.

Comments

DNB

Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 4:20 a.m.

No winner here, but my 16-year old son did pick 2 numbers, plus the power ball number-using birthdays. I think that's a $10 win, according to the website ... back to work on Monday. :-)

treetowncartel

Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 3:33 a.m.

so, can we have a report on the winning numbers, they have been drawn ya know

sandalwood

Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 3:51 a.m.

They were, 2-4-23-38-46 Mega Ball 23
I didn't get it, good luck to everyone else!!!

DNB

Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 12:36 a.m.

Ticket sales madness is correct. I was at Meijer with my kids, and I let them each pick their set of numbers, for me to purchase - 4 tickets total. There were several people buying $100 worth of tickets!
Good luck; we can all dream for a couple of hours ... then, back to reality.